Because it’s so accessible, ice fishing is becoming a popular family activity throughout Idaho. Ice fishing is one of the most available and often overlooked opportunities in the Clearwater region. There are numerous ponds, lakes and reservoirs that freeze and contain a wide range of fish species including rainbow trout, yellow perch, bass, bluefish, catfish and kokanee.
Below you will find conditions, fishing prospects and general information on nine different ice fisheries in the Clearwater region. This report will be updated monthly, so be sure to check back for updated information. Keep in mind that ice conditions can be extremely variable and many environmental factors can affect ice quality and strength. It is your responsibility to check ice thickness and conditions before venturing onto the ice. For ice fishing safety tips, visit Fish and Game’s ice fishing webpage.
REMEMBER! Get a 2023 fishing license before you go fishing in the new year.
North Clearwater Ice Fisheries
Spring Valley Reservoir: Rainbow Trout, Bluegill, Fish, Catfish and Bass
“The Biggest Little Reservoir” in the Clearwater region, Spring Valley is always a popular fishery during the winter months. More than 9,000 rainbow trout were stocked in October to provide an additional winter fishing opportunity, with anglers reporting good catch rates of 10- to 14-inch fish leading into the winter . It can be difficult to catch the fish through the ice, but if you can figure it out, there are good numbers of fish around “Bird Island” and near the dam. Anglers also reported good catch rates of 8-inch bluegill on docks and around the new submerged habitat structures on the west side of the reservoir.
Ice conditions are improving with the recent cold weather, but unfortunately snow has isolated the reservoir and there is currently no fishable or safe ice. Some keen anglers dug holes in the snow and were running out of docks and some trout are being caught hanging a worm from a bobber.
Moose Creek Reservoir: crappie, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluefish and catfish
Just far enough from Moscow and Lewiston to make it a full day adventure, Moose Creek Reservoir is your classic mid-sized ice fishery. The reservoir was abundantly stocked with nearly 14,000 rainbow trout in October. Combine this with a good harvest of fish and you have the conditions for good fishing action. The road to Moose Creek Reservoir is plowed intermittently, so check the weather before heading out and wait a day after a heavy snowfall.
There is currently 4 inches of clear ice with 2 inches of snow at Moose Creek Reservoir. A few anglers reported catching their limits of rainbow trout near the dam and along the unplowed road to the north.
Elk Creek Reservoir: Brook trout, rainbow trout, crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass and catfish
Brook trout are the main ice fishing attraction at Elk Creek Reservoir, but you’ll have to earn your keep to catch them. The road to Elk Creek Reservoir is plowed intermittently and it snows a lot up there. Sometimes the road is not plowed to the reservoir, so fishermen can walk. That said, the walk is worth it when the brook trout bite turns on.
Fish and Game stocks the reservoir with rainbow trout, and anglers will find them while chasing brookies. Like other fisheries, micro-jigs with wax worms a few inches off the bottom are a good way to find fish. Brook trout like movement, so using live worms or casting your bait can be the difference between catching your six-fish limit or not.
Current conditions are not good, with 4 inches of ice, 3 inches of slush, and a foot of snow in the reservoir, so proceed with caution.
East Clearwater Ice Fisheries
Deer Creek Reservoir: Tiger trout, brook trout and rainbow trout
Deer Creek Reservoir offers one of the few opportunities in Idaho to catch the highly sought after tiger trout. Add in brook trout and rainbow trout and you have one of the most unique fisheries in the Clearwater region. There is a closed gate about ¾ of a mile before you reach the reservoir, so bring your snowshoes or cross-country skis and be ready to go. Because this reservoir does not receive much effort, catch rates can often be excellent.
Ice conditions are fair, with 4 inches of clear ice and 3 inches of slush, with another 6 inches of snow. With more cold weather on the way, ice conditions should continue to improve. But be careful, as deep snow can insulate the ice and deteriorate its quality.
There are no current fishing reports for Deer Creek Reservoir.
Deyo Reservoir: Rainbow Trout, Bluegill, Bass and Catfish
It is a tradition to sing the song “Banana Boat” by Harry Belafonte before stepping into the “Day-O” reservoir. All kidding aside, Deyo Reservoir offers car access and consistently good ice conditions. Approximately 5,000 rainbow trout were stocked in October, which should provide good catch rates through the winter. Trout fishing can be good throughout the reservoir with bluegill and occasional bass being caught near the docks.
Current ice conditions are ideal for an early season hike, with 4 inches of ice in most spots and only 4-6 inches of snow.
Campbells Pond: Rainbow trout, bluegill, bass and catfish
This is a small 6.7 acre pond near Pierce that receives a lot of stocked rainbow trout for a pond this size. It’s a popular family fishing water in the summer, but winter really sinks its teeth into this place. There is 2 feet of snow on the pond with 6 inches of slush sitting on top of 5 inches of good ice. If you are looking for a site with good catch rates and little competition from other anglers, this may be the site for you. Since you have to hike 400 meters through deep snow to get to this pond, you may find you have the entire pond to yourself.
South Clearwater Ice Fisheries
Winchester Lake: Rainbow trout, yellow perch, channel catfish, tiger muskie, crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass
Its proximity to Lewiston makes Lake Winchester a popular ice fishery for LC Valley anglers. But, if you’re an out-of-towner looking to plan a family ice fishing trip, Winchester State Park (located on this lake) offers winter camping and yurt rentals.
Lake Winchester was stocked with more than 14,000 rainbow trout in October, and spring surveys indicated an overabundance of yellow perch. That means there are plenty of fish to catch. Ice conditions are good with over 6 inches of solid ice and several inches of snow on top. The fishermen have already started fishing; with reports of small perch caught in shallow water and trout further offshore. Perch are caught by tipping a “Jigging Rap” with a wax worm. The trout bite has been slow, but tipping a standard micro-jig with a piece of nightcrawler or Power Bait fished 10 feet off the surface should get you into the fish.
Soldiers Meadow Reservoir: Rainbow trout, kokanee and smallmouth bass
Soldier Meadows is most popular for its kokanee fishing, making it one of the most unique ice fisheries in the Clearwater region. Kokanee are delicious little landlocked salmon, and Soldier Meadows is stocked with these high-quality table foods every year. Before you start heating up the smoker, you should know that kokanees often have a subtle bite, which makes them frustrating to catch. Most anglers have success with corn-tipped teardrop micro-jigs in the mid-water column.
Using sonar or fish finders will go a long way in locating where fish are hanging in the water column. In addition, over 4,600 rainbow trout were also stocked at the end of October to provide some diversity to ice fishing. If you are having difficulty catching kokanee, you may want to switch to rainbow trout by fishing micro-jigs tipped with a worm or Power Bait.
Current ice conditions are poor, with sections of the reservoir still open water. Soldier Meadows will likely be ice fishing after Christmas as there is only 2 inches of overcast ice with a few inches of snow on top.
Tolo Lake: Channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and rainbow trout
Tolo Lake currently has 6 inches of ice with minimal snow on top. It is easily accessible from Grangeville. Be sure to check weather conditions before you go, as the winter winds in Camas Prairie can be downright terrible.
